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Credit: Barbara Alper via LGBT History/Instagram

In response to the election of Donald Trump and the concurrent rise of misogyny, racism and discrimination against minorities that it has incurred, hundreds of demonstrations have been planned in cities around the world in solidarity with the Women’s March on Washington on January 21

An estimated 200,000 supporters are expected to attend the march on America’s capital – a projected figure that, if met, will cement its status as the largest inauguration-related protest in United States history, one galvanised through a grass roots movement on social media and endorsed as much by countless high profile celebrities including Beyoncé, Katy Perry and Amy Schumer as by vital organisations including Planned Parenthood, the NAACP and the Human Rights Watch. 

Several hundred sister marches (the current estimate puts it at over 600) are also being planned around the world not only as a show of support for American women, but for those in their own countries. Three peaceful, inclusive Australian marches are slated to go ahead in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne

Nothing planned for the coming weekend? Consider marching.

March for the protection of every woman’s fundamental rights and for the safeguarding of basic human freedoms for all. March to visibly counter the growing normalisation of abusive and violent behaviour – much of it institutionalised – toward women and marginalised groups in Australian society. March against misogyny, racism, domestic violence, sexual assault, discrimination on the basis of sexual and gender identity. March to make visible your objection to those in positions of power who push agendas motivated by climate change denial and the decimation of reproductive rights. March for those who cannot due to systemic dispossession from their land, and those wrongfully incarcerated in asylum seeker processing camps. March for four hours to steel yourself against four years of uncertainty not only abroad in the United States but here and in countless countries around the world. 

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Credit: Keep Sydney Open/Sam Whiteside/Facebook

And after you’re done, march again. Keep Sydney Open are staging what they’ve dubbed “an urgent rally to defend the colour, fun and vibrancy of our city before it’s destroyed.” This will be the third demonstration organised by the group, and it’s taking place in the moribund, once vibrant epicentre of Sydney’s nightlife, King’s Cross. Flight Facilities, who met and honed their craft at nearby venues including 77, Soho, Piano Room and Hugo’s, will be performing at the event.

Earlier today, Keep Sydney Open published a statement saying that the NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione is attempting to prohibit the rally from taking place through filing proceedings yesterday evening in the Supreme Court.

“The right to peaceful protest has been a cornerstone of our campaign,” write the event organisers, “and we will vigorously fight for it on your behalf.”

This weekend, consider doing the same.

Update: The NSW Supreme Court has reportedly found in favour of NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione (whose public political stance favours the continuation of the lock-out laws) and prohibited the assembly of an estimated 7,000 people wanting to assert their democratic right to protest.

According to Keep Sydney Open spokesperson Tyson Koh, the court found that organisers did not implement the correct crowd management procedures (adequate portable toilets, traffic management) required for the public gathering – despite the fact that on an average Saturday night, Kings Cross used to be visited by approximately 27,000 people


Tile image: Paul Schmick/LGBT History/Instagram
Cover image: Keep Sydney Open/Instagram